Photo Tour of Male Pro One-Handed Topspin Backhand Grips

Richard Gasquet uses a backhand grip a bit beyond the Full Eastern, toward the Semi-Western. Richard has arguably the best and almost certainly the most explosive one-handed topspin backhand of all time. His backhand grip is the equivalent of a 3/4 Western grip on the forehand side in how much it favors heavy topspin generated with a long, upward, whipping swing. No one hits a one-hander with a bigger, freer swing than Gasquet's, and no one produces a more potent result. Most players would find Richard's backhand grip difficult, because it requires meeting the ball farther forward and with a more aggressive swing, but for a player like Gasquet whose mind can get in the way, a stroke that encourages letting loose can be just the thing. If the rest of his game were as good as his backhand, Richard would be a top contender at every tournament.